July 13, 2026 — ABB has won an order from Zhejiang Petroleum & Chemical to deliver ProcessMaster FEP600 electromagnetic flowmeters with Ethernet-APL (Advanced Physical Layer) connectivity for an upgrade at a large refining and petrochemical complex in China. The facility, located in the Zhoushan Green Petrochemical Base on Yushan Island, has a total refining capacity of 40 million tons per year.
ABB’s ProcessMaster flowmeters will be deployed in a chemical production facility within the complex. The facility has an annual production capacity of 450,000 tons of adipic acid, a key raw material used in the production of nylon 66, specialty engineering plastics and polyurethane.
The Ethernet-APL instrumentation will enable high-speed, real-time data transmission across the facility, supporting efficient and reliable plant operations.
The flowmeters will monitor the flow of high-temperature, corrosive acidic fluids in the plant, and are designed for a wide range of pipe sizes, ranging from DN 15mm to DN 300mm. A single two-wire cable provides power and high-speed Ethernet-APL communication, enabling the highest level of safety protection (Ex ia) and reliable data transmission over distances of up to 1,000 meters. ABB uses PFA lining technology to protect the flowmeters and ensure measurement accuracy and equipment longevity.
“We aim to fully leverage the enhanced data sensing and transmission capabilities inherent in ABB instrumentation,” said a representative of Zhejiang Petroleum & Chemical. “This will improve our understanding of operating conditions and enable smart and more efficient operations.”
“Ethernet-APL is increasingly the most common communication technology in industrial applications with intrinsic safety,” said Jacques Mulbert, President of ABB’s Measurement & Analytics division. “Through this collaboration, we will support Zhejiang in enabling smart operations, advanced diagnostics and proactive maintenance.”
The order builds on ABB’s previous delivery of Ethernet-APL VortexMaster & SwirlMaster flowmeters to Zhejiang and Rongsheng Petrochemical, both part of Rongsheng Group, a Fortune Global 500 company. The FEP600 series of electromagnetic flowmeters are widely used in the petrochemical and chemical industries worldwide.
About ABB
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB).
About ABB's Automation business
ABB’s Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalizes industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs – from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its ~26,000 employees, leading technology and service expertise, Automation helps process, hybrid and maritime industries outrun — leaner and cleaner.
